Eagles Interview Texans’ Jerrod Johnson For OC Position
Barely 24 hours after firing Brian Johnson, the Eagles are at work interviewing replacement candidates. Following their Kliff Kingsbury meeting, the Eagles met with a younger candidate.
Texans quarterbacks coach Jerrod Johnson is on the Eagles’ radar, with ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter reporting the young assistant has also met with Philly about the job. Johnson, whom the Texans hired last year, has also met with the Saints and Browns about their respective OC openings.
As C.J. Stroud‘s position coach, Johnson certainly has momentum to use this season as a platform to land a coordinator job. The 35-year-old staffer has just one season of experience as a quarterbacks coach, coming to Houston after a stay as Minnesota’s assistant QBs coach. The Eagles would stand to join the Saints in seeking a play-calling OC, with the Browns preparing to hire a non-play-calling coordinator.
That said, Nick Sirianni is an offense-oriented coach. It is unclear if the Eagles are retaining Sirianni, though with ownership signing off on the team firing both its offensive and defensive coordinators, signs still point to the Super Bowl HC staying for a fourth season. Sirianni has not been the Eagles’ primary play-caller since he relinquished those duties to Shane Steichen midway through the 2021 season.
Johnson also has a history with Sirianni; both were on Frank Reich‘s Colts staff from 2019-20. Johnson broke into the coaching ranks as on a Bill Walsh Diversity Fellowship in 2019 and worked as a quality control staffer from 2020-21, leading to the Minnesota job offer. Sirianni brought ex-Colts coworker Marcus Brady to Philly, with Jonathan Gannon also coming over from Indianapolis back in 2021. With this hire being crucial to Sirianni’s Eagles future, it will assuredly take more than familiarity to fill the job.
Stroud rocketing out of the starting blocks has changed the Texans’ outlook, with the team venturing to the playoffs for the first time in four years. The No. 2 overall pick’s performance landing Johnson a job would add up, but with the Texans having Bobby Slowik still on the HC carousel, any staff continuity would be important going into the offseason.
Texans’ Bobby Slowik Arranges Second HC Interviews With Commanders, Falcons
After a strong debut season as a coordinator, Bobby Slowik continues to drawn signficant head coaching interest. The Texans OC has a pair of second interviews lined up for a head coaching gig. 
Slowik will meet with the Commanders today before a follow-up with the Falcons, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. His second meeting with Atlanta will take place on Thursday, SI’s Albert Breer adds. Slowik interviewed virtually with both teams on Sunday, and his second meeting with each will take place in person.
Slowik began his NFL coaching career under Mike Shanahan in Washington as a defensive assistant, spending three years in that capacity. Taking on the Commanders’ HC position would thus represent a return to the place where he started as a staffer. Slowik is best known for his work on the offensive side of the ball, however, which began when he paired with Kyle Shanahan in San Francisco.
While the latter served as play-caller, Slowik was an instrumental member of the 49ers’ offensive staff during his time in the Bay Area. The 36-year-old worked as San Francisco’s passing game coordinator from 2021-22 before he followed DeMeco Ryans to Houston. That move allowed him to take on the Texans’ offensive coordinator role, and the results thoroughly exceeded expectations.
With Slowik at the helm, quarterback C.J. Stroud delivered one of the most productive rookie seasons in NFL history. Houston advanced to the divisional round of the playoffs as part of the organization’s dramatic turnaround in Ryans’ debut season as a head coach. His and the team’s success has, to no surprise, entered Slowik’s name into the conversation of the league’s top up-and-coming offensive minds.
The Commanders quickly brought in a new general manager (Adam Peters, who has a relationship with Slowik dating back to their time in San Francisco), but the team has cast a wide net in its coaching search. Veteran defensive coordinators – and ex-head coaches – Dan Quinn and Raheem Morris – have lined up a second interview with Washington. The Commanders have also shown a strong interest in Lions OC Ben Johnson, however, and Slowik profiles as being similar to the latter given his age and background on the offensive side of the ball.
Unlike the Commanders, the Falcons have frequently been linked to high-profile candidates Bill Belichick and Jim Harbaugh. Atlanta has met with both candidates, but the team has also sent out a second request to speak with Mike Macdonald and Anthony Weaver as part of a wide-ranging search. Slowik will have competition for both positions, but his status as a serious candidate for both Washington and Atlanta demonstrates the extent to which has stock has risen this year.
NFL Reserve/Futures Contracts: 1/22/24
Today’s reserve/futures contracts:
Buffalo Bills
- CB Kyron Brown, DE Kameron Cline, OL Richard Gouraige, CB Ja’Marcus Ingram, WR Andy Isabella, OL Kevin Jarvis, TE Tre’ McKitty, WR Tyrell Shavers, WR Bryan Thompson, S Kendall Williamson
Denver Broncos
Green Bay Packers
- LB Keshawn Banks, S Tyler Coyle, WR Grant DuBose, DL Jonathan Ford, CB Zyon Gilbert, CB Anthony Johnson, QB Alex McGough, RB Ellis Merriweather, LB Arron Mosby, LB Kenneth Odumegwu, FB Henry Pearson, WR Thyrick Pitts, T Kadeem Telfort, TE Joel Wilson
Houston Texans
- DT McTelvin Agim, WR Alex Bachman, QB Tim Boyle, RB Gerrid Doaks, DE Ali Gaye, S Brandon Hill, WR Johnny Johnson III, TE Dalton Keene, CB Troy Pride, RB J.J. Taylor, OT Jaylon Thomas, WR Jared Wayne
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- OT Silas Dzansi, CB Keenan Isaac, RB Patrick Laird, CB Quandre Moseley, TE Tanner Taula, WR Raleigh Webb
Saints, Browns To Interview Texans’ Jerrod Johnson For OC Position
5:44pm: It appears the Saints‘ request will be honored as Johnson is reportedly expected to interview with the Saints sometime early this week, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
Additionally, the Browns have added Johnson to their list of offensive coordinator candidates, as well. Cleveland fired their offensive coordinator of four years, Alex Van Pelt, this week following a one-sided loss to the Texans in the Wild Card round. Van Pelt was a non-play-calling coordinator on head coach Kevin Stefanski‘s staff. His dismissal and Stefanski’s desire to interview one of the top up-and-coming names in the coaching world may point to a willingness from Stefanski to give up play-calling duties. Regardless, Johnson will interview with the Browns early this week, as well.
9:56am: Jerrod Johnson is back on the OC interview circuit. Landing on the coordinator radar last year, Johnson ended up in Houston as the Texans’ quarterbacks coach. After C.J. Stroud‘s rookie season, teams should be expected to give Johnson more attention as OC jobs become available.
One will be the Saints. New Orleans will be the first team to request an OC interview with Johnson this year, with CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones noting the young assistant has received a slip from the NFC South team. Johnson joins Rams quarterbacks coach Zac Robinson and Bengals QBs coach Dan Pitcher on the Saints’ OC radar thus far.
The Chargers brought in Johnson for a meeting last year but ended up going with Kellen Moore soon after the latter’s Cowboys exit. A former Vikings assistant quarterbacks coach, Johnson still managed to move up the ladder. Working under Bobby Slowik in Houston this season, the 35-year-old assistant presided over one of the better QB rookie years in recent NFL history. Stroud’s early readiness will likely garner Johnson more than one OC meeting this offseason.
Puka Nacua‘s record-setting season may not be enough to beat out Stroud for Offensive Rookie of the Year, considering where the Texans were since the Deshaun Watson turbulence began. Stroud led the NFL in passing yards per game and in INT rate, throwing just five picks, and quarterbacked the Texans to a one-sided wild-card win over the Browns. Johnson’s first season as a team’s top QBs coach could not have gone much better.
Johnson, who bounced around the NFL as a practice squad arm during the 2010s, is just two years removed from the quality control level. The Colts employed Johnson as such from 2020-21, with the Vikings bringing him in as their assistant QBs coach during Kevin O’Connell‘s first season. Five teams — the Falcons, Panthers, Seahawks, Titans and Commanders — sent Slowik interview requests. The prospect of Ryans losing his top two offensive assistants after Year 1 will be in play.
AFC South Notes: Taylor, Rankins, Colts
The Jaguars are retooling their defensive staff after their late-season collapse knocked them out of playoff position, but Jacksonville’s offense submitted a clunky campaign as well. Trevor Lawrence did not take the step forward many expected, battling injuries and producing an inconsistent third season. After finishing 10th in points and yards in 2022, the Jags ranked 13th in both categories (and 18th in DVOA) this season. As Doug Pederson fired most of his defensive assistants, SI.com’s Albert Breer notes some late-season buzz pointed to GM Trent Baalke taking a hard look into the state of the offense.
This effort is believed to have centered around OC Press Taylor, whom Pederson gave play-calling duties before the season. Pederson called plays in 2022. Pederson displayed loyalty to Taylor in Philadelphia, and Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie was not onboard with the prospect of Press Taylor — the younger brother of Bengals HC Zac Taylor — staying on as Eagles QBs coach and pass-game coordinator for a second season back in 2021. (The Eagles did not employ an OC that year, making Taylor Pederson’s top lieutenant on that side of the ball.) Nearly two weeks after the Jags’ season ended, Taylor remains on track to be the Jags’ OC for a third year. The coming season will be pivotal for the Jags, who may want to see a true leap from Lawrence before extending him.
Here is the latest from the AFC South:
- Sheldon Rankins has now played out his one-year Texans contract, though the team has exclusive negotiating rights with the veteran defensive tackle until the legal tampering period begins in March. Rankins, however, said (via KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson) he would prefer to re-sign with the Texans rather than leaving in free agency. Working as a full-time starter, Rankins played well in Houston. The former Saints and Jets D-tackle registered six sacks and returned a fumble for a touchdown this season. The Texans have part of their DT equation solved, having given Maliek Collins another contract (two years, $23MM) last summer.
- Kenny Moore‘s Colts contract became an issue back in 2022. With the NFL still not placing considerable value on slot cornerbacks financially — at least, not compared to high-end boundary cover men — Moore expressed frustration about the four-year, $33.3MM deal he signed back in 2019. Moore has now played out his deal and is on track to be a first-time free agent. One of the NFL’s better slot corners over the course of his career, Moore became vital to a Colts team that did not feature consistent perimeter coverage this season. While the prospect of testing the market would seem appealing, Moore said (via the Indianapolis Star’s Joel Erickson) he wants to stay in Indianapolis. After an injury-plagued 2022, Moore returned to form this season. With Moore intercepting three passes and returning two for TDs, Pro Football Focus ranked the 28-year-old defender 17th at the position.
- Ryan Kelly attempted to set the record straight recently, indicating (via Fox 59’s Mike Chappell) he is not considering retirement. The eight-year Colts center finished up his age-30 season, ranking as Pro Football Focus’ No. 8 overall center, and is under contract for 2024. The Colts shopped Kelly this past offseason. The final year of the Pro Bowler’s contract includes a nonguaranteed $11.4MM base salary.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 1/17/24
The remaining playoff teams continue manipulating their practice squads:
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: WR Laquon Treadwell
- Released: WR Tarik Black
Detroit Lions
- Signed: DE Chris Smith
Houston Texans
- Signed: WR Damiere Byrd
- Released: DT Rashard Lawrence
As they deal with myriad injuries in their receiving corps, the Texans have made the call to add a veteran pass catcher in Byrd. Tank Dell and Noah Brown are on injured reserve, and Robert Woods (hip) and John Metchie (foot) are both currently questionable with one practice remaining before Saturday’s matchup in Baltimore. It’s been three years since Byrd’s season as a starter in New England when he recorded career-highs in catches (47) and yards (604), but Houston brings him in with the hope that the depth he brings at the position is unnecessary.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 1/16/24
As playoff teams prepare for the second round of the postseason, they continue to tinker with their practice squads:
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: DB Christian Matthew
- Released: DB Jeremy Lucien
Buffalo Bills
- Released: RB Leonard Fournette
Houston Texans
- Signed: DT McTelvin Agim
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: DE Austin Bryant
- Released: RB Jeremy McNichols
Leonard Fournette‘s brief stint with the Bills has come to an end. The veteran running back joined Buffalo’s practice squad in October, but it took him until Week 16 to make his season debut. Fournette ended up getting into a pair of games for the Bills, collecting 40 rushing yards on 12 attempts. He wasn’t active for the team’s playoff opener, and after reverting to the practice squad, he now finds himself a free agent.
Minor NFL Transactions: 1/16/24
Tuesday’s minor moves:
Houston Texans
- Signed to active roster: WR Steven Sims
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed off Jets practice squad: S Trey Dean
Sims has been elevated from the practice squad three times, so any further action required he be added to the active roster. The former UDFA has only seen 10 offensive snaps (making three catches) this season, his first with the Texans, though he has been used slightly more on special teams. Sims will look to fill the complementary role of Noah Brown to an extent, after the latter was placed on season-ending IR yesterday.
Seahawks Request HC Interviews With Ben Johnson, Bobby Slowik
As the Seahawks continue to cast a wide net in search of a Pete Carroll replacement, they plan to speak with two of the 2024 cycle’s most popular candidates. Seattle has requested a head coaching interview with Lions OC Ben Johnson, per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. In addition, Texans OC Bobby Slowik has received a slip, ESPN’s Dan Graziano reports. 
[RELATED: 2024 Head Coaching Search Tracker]
Seattle moved Carroll into an advisory role last week, despite his public comments suggesting he was prepared to coach the team for a 15th season. Interview requests have begun as a result of the move, with general manager John Schneider at the helm of the coaching search. As he confirmed in a Tuesday press conference, the latter will handle all personnel matters after Carroll held final say in that regard during his lengthy HC tenure.
Johnson has received an interview request from each HC-needy team except the Patriots and Raiders to date. The up-and-coming play-caller is believed to have a mutual interest with the Chargers, but significant competition will exist for his services. The Commanders and Panthers have identified Johnson, 37, as their top target. Seattle will thus have a number of suitors to outmaneuver if the team is to land him in this year’s cycle.
Much Like Johnson last year, Slowik has boosted his stock considerably in his first year as a coordinator. The former 49ers passing game coordinator followed DeMeco Ryans from San Francisco to Houston this offseason, and he has delivered a strong performance. The Texans ranked seventh in the league in passing yards this season despite quarterback C.J. Stroud missing time due to a concussion. Slowik, 36, is lacking in experience compared to a number of other candidates available this year. He has nevertheless received interview requests from the Falcons, Panthers, Titans and Commanders.
Schneider said he intends to begin Seattle’s coaching search tomorrow with virtual interviews (in-person meetings with coaches still in the playoffs cannot take place until after the divisional round). CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones notes the Seahawks’ interview with Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn is scheduled for Thursday. Quinn was immediately named as a candidate to watch given his ties to the franchise, though he too has garnered considerable interest from other teams with a HC vacancy.
Given the fact the team has several roster pieces in place from last year’s run to the postseason and the continuity strived for in terms of adding a coach similar to Carroll in terms of culture-building (as Schneider added will be the goal), Seattle’s hiring process will be worth watching closely. The team has targeted staffers from both sides of the ball, and the ultimate selection will be tasked with the significant challenge of matching Carroll’s success.
Texans Place WR Noah Brown On IR
Noah Brown‘s first Texans season involved multiple injuries. His latest will shut him down for the rest of the season. After Brown left Saturday’s wild-card game with a shoulder malady, the Texans placed him on IR.
Due to the timing here, Brown will miss the rest of the season. The longtime Cowboys wideout posted a career-high receiving total this season, doing so despite missing seven games due to injury. This is Brown’s second IR stint as a Texan; the team used one of its eight IR activations earlier this season. The Texans having used up their IR activations this season does not matter in this case, as all players who land on IR must miss at least four games.
Brown, 28, joins Tank Dell among Houston wideouts on IR. The Texans have continued to battle setbacks at this position, with Nico Collins also missing time. But Collins has emerged as C.J. Stroud‘s go-to target down the stretch. With Brown also out, Stroud will figure to lean on Collins in the team’s divisional-round matchup. Robert Woods and John Metchie join Collins as key wideouts left standing in Houston.
A six-year Cowboys target who signed a one-year deal to change Texas addresses back in March, Brown played quite well in a bigger role. He posted 567 receiving yards despite the seven absences, averaging 17.2 per catch and scoring two touchdowns. Brown, however, missed time because of back, groin and knee injuries this season. While that makes his 567-yard showing impressive, the former seventh-round pick did not display much durability in his first Texans campaign.
An auxiliary Cowboys pass catcher from 2017-22, Brown started seven games with the Texans. He posted back-to-back 150-plus-yard games in November, helping Stroud become the Offensive Rookie of the Year favorite. Brown will again command interest in free agency soon, should the Texans not re-sign him before then.